The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-06-01
MECHANIC FALLS VETERANS.
The Monument Dedicated Monday
Graves Dedicated In Many Towns
Good Work Of the Woman's Relief
Old War songs-The Day at Liver
more Falls.
Correspondence of the Press.l

Correspondence of the Press.1
MECHANIC FALLS, May so.
"A. Dwinal Post No. 3, G. A. r., has
long been working and waiting for soldiers
monument Two years ago the Ladies Re-
lief Corps was organized, and they imme-
diately commenced the work which cul-
minated in the erection of fine monument
last week. 1t was beautifully decorated and
impressively dedicated today in the presence
of vast assemblage.
Promptly at o'clock A. A. Dwinal Post
No. 3d. headed by the Mechanic Falls band,
II. G. Gerrish, leader, marched into the COM.
mon and occupied position on the left of
the speakers stand. With them came the
old veteran war horse "Prim." The yeter-
ans were tired and footsore. Their jurisdic-
tion is large and it requires two days to dec
crate the graves in Oxford, Hebron, Centre
Minot, West Poland, Poland Corner and En-
pire, which are visited by them each year
They had now just returned from decorating
the three cemeteries in our village.
Commander Sholes called the assemblage
to order and ordered the monument I'M
yelled, after which prayer was offered by
the Rev. Mr.. Cobb of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, followed by singing the .'Star
Spangled Banner" by chorus of twenty
voices, while detachment of the G. A. r.
raised the stars and stripes. After this the
monument was dedicated by the Grand
Army in accordance with the form prescribed
in their ritual. A large anchor was placed
at the lett OF the monument and a sailor
stationed to guard 1t. A musket was placed
| at the right with canteen, haversack. etc.
| and soldier stationed to guard them. These
were symbols representing the army and
! navy.
/ After these services, which lasted about
haii an hour, MIR. W. Il. buchanan, formerly
OF this place, but now of Portland, sang the
Faded Coat of Blue" Mr.. Buchanan used
to sing at the rallying meetings in 1861, and
! his sweet voice was hailed with much pleas
ure by the old veterans today.
Then followed the address by Judge Saw
age OF Auburn, in which he alluded to the
causes which led to the war, the Old and
New South, the growing prosperity of our
country, and the results of the great conflict
He concluded by paying glowing tribute to
tne soA1iers friend, John A. Logan. The
address was admirably given and held the
closest attention of all present.
The monument Is of white bronze from
the Monumental Works at Bridgeport.
Conn.,. and is 26A feet high. The base is
rough "ashler:" The second base contains
in large raised letters the names of four bat
ties In which many of our boys participated,
viz. Gettysburg, Antietam, Wilderness, Win,
chester. Above is the plinth containing the
tablets The one in front contains the dedi-
catory inscription and the chorus to the song
Faded Coat of Blue" The other three tab.
lets contain the names of 100 soldiers whose
homes were within the jurisdiction of this
Post. and who died in the war. Above the
tablets are medallion figures representing a
mounted cavalryman, stack of arms, crossed
flags and soldier boy. Above these on the
shaft is the G. A. r. badge, head of Lincoln
coat of arms of United States, and coat OF
arms of Maine. The whole is surmounted
with a life sized figure of soldier in full
uniform, musket in hand in the attitude OF
parade rest" The design of the mOnu.
ment is pleasing and called forth much
praise from out of town visitors, and the G.
A. K. and Ladies Relief Corps are to be con-
graduated for the success they have
The band and chorus was under the ,,irec.
tion of Mr.. I'll. G. Gerrish of this place and
much credit is due him for so ably managing
the two organizations.
LIvERMoRE FALLS, Nav 81.
Kimball Post No. 49, g. A. X. appropriate
ly observed Memorial Day with the customa-
ry ceremonies In the afternoon an able
| and Rl0Quent Grafton nv Rev Il X Richard